Radiation-shielding assemblies and methods of using the same

Abstract

In one characterization, the present invention relates to a radiation-shielding assembly for holding a container having a radioactive material disposed therein. The assembly may, at least in one regard, be referred to as an elution shield and/or a dispensing shield. The assembly includes a body at least partially defining a cavity. There is at least one opening through the body into the cavity. The assembly may include a cap that at least generally hinders escape of radiation from the assembly through the opening. The cap may be releasably attached to the body in one orientation and may establish non-attached engagement with the body in another orientation. The assembly may include an adjustable spacer system for adapting the assembly for use with containers having different heights.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An elution shield for a container designed to have a radioactive material disposed therein, the elution shield comprising:
 a body including a sidewall at least partially defining a container-receiving cavity having a diameter, the body defining an opening into the cavity at a first end of the body, the body comprising at least one radiation shielding material; 
 a base adapted to be releasably secured to the body at a second end thereof, the base being elongate relative to the diameter of the cavity in a direction transverse to the diameter of the cavity, the base comprising a sidewall extension portion having an open end and a closed end, the open end of the sidewall extension portion being disposed closer to the second end of the body than the closed end of the sidewall extension portion, the sidewall having a relatively heavier-weight construction and the sidewall extension portion having a relatively lighter-weight construction; and 
 a base shielding element comprising at least one radiation shielding material, the base shielding element disposed closer to the open end of the sidewall extension portion than the closed end. 
 
     
     
       2. The elution shield of  claim 1 , wherein the opening defined by the body at the first end is a first opening, the first opening being of a first size, the body defining a second opening at the second end, the second opening being of a second size greater than the first size, the second end of the body being releasably securable with the base. 
     
     
       3. The elution shield of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a main body and a lid, the opening defined by the body is a first opening defined in the lid, the main body defining a second opening sized to permit passage of a container therethrough, the lid being adapted to at least partially cover the second opening. 
     
     
       4. The elution shield of  claim 3  wherein the first opening is sized to prohibit passage of the container therethrough. 
     
     
       5. The elution shield of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a plastic material. 
     
     
       6. The elution shield of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a polycarbonate material. 
     
     
       7. A method for using the elution shield of  claim 1  in eluting a radioisotope from a radioisotope generator, the method comprising:
 placing a container within the body; 
 connecting the container to the radioisotope generator; and 
 eluting the radioisotope from the radioisotope generator. 
 
     
     
       8. The elution shield of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall extension portion further comprises a plurality of stabilizers disposed near the closed bottom, the stabilizers extending outward from the closed bottom. 
     
     
       9. The elution shield of  claim 1 , wherein the base is adapted to be releasably secured to the body by a quick turn connection. 
     
     
       10. An elution shield for a container designed to have a radioactive material disposed therein, the elution shield comprising:
 a body including a sidewall at least partially defining a container-receiving cavity having a diameter, the body defining an opening into the cavity at a first end of the body, the body comprising at least one radiation shielding material; and 
 a base adapted to be releasably secured to the body at a second end thereof, the base being elongate relative to the diameter of the cavity in a direction transverse to the diameter of the cavity, the base comprising:
 a sidewall extension portion, 
 a radiation shielding element, and 
 a non-radiation shielding element surrounding at least a portion of the radiation shielding element, wherein the radiation shielding element has a generally tubular configuration, the sidewall having a relatively heavier-weight construction and the sidewall extension portion having a relatively lighter-weight construction. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The elution shield of  claim 10 , wherein the generally tubular configuration of the radiation shielding element transitions from a relatively thicker portion at one end to a relatively thinner portion at an opposite end, the relatively thicker portion being closer to the body when the base is releasably secured to the body. 
     
     
       12. The elution shield of  claim 10 , wherein the non-radiation shielding element of the base is overmolded to the radiation shielding element. 
     
     
       13. The elution shield of  claim 12 , wherein an internal surface of the non-radiation shielding element of the base defines a plurality of inwardly extending ridges and an external surface of the radiation shielding element defines a plurality of outwardly extending ridges, said inwardly extending ridges of the non-shielding element engaging grooves defined by the plurality of outwardly extending ridges of the radiation shielding element. 
     
     
       14. The elution shield of  claim 10 , wherein the radiation shielding element is constructed of a moldable tungsten impregnated plastic material. 
     
     
       15. The elution shield of  claim 10 , wherein the non-radiation shielding element and the radiation shielding element are configured so that the non-radiation shielding element extends farther from the body than the radiation shielding element when the base is releasably secured to the body. 
     
     
       16. A method for using the elution shield of  claim 10  in eluting a radioisotope from a radioisotope generator, the method comprising:
 placing a container within the body; 
 connecting the container to the radioisotope generator; and 
 eluting the radioisotope from the radioisotope generator.